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» Organization of storage of workpieces. Do-it-yourself cellar, heating cabinet and storage on the balcony The right conditions for storing potatoes on the balcony

Organization of storage of workpieces. Do-it-yourself cellar, heating cabinet and storage on the balcony The right conditions for storing potatoes on the balcony

You can store vegetables on the balcony if you make a wooden balcony cellar or install a heating cabinet. Residents of the first floor can dig a storage area under the loggia.

The content of the article:

As a rule, in any apartment there is not enough space to accommodate everything planned. Therefore, many people use their loggias and balconies as an additional storage section. You can make various shelves, cabinets, and a cabinet here to put some things here. Having built special box, you will put vegetables and homemade preparations here. At the same time, the loggia will become not only additional storage space, but also a wonderful relaxation area.

How to make a balcony cellar?


When arranging this place for storing vegetables, you need to follow some principles:
  1. The temperature in this improvised cellar should be +1... +5°C, with an air humidity of 85–90%. Then the vegetables will not dry out and rot.
  2. A ventilation system must be provided. Usually this is a pipe that goes outside. In extreme cold, it should be closed with a damper.
Vegetables can be stored on the balcony in four types of containers, in the cellar:
  • thermos;
  • container;
  • with heating;
  • on the first floor.
The latter device will help you create a full-fledged cellar in the basement, where you can fit a lot of fruits and vegetables, as well as canned foods.

Before you start building these cellars, you need to draw up a sketch of the project. A very convenient box for storing vegetables with a hinged top lid. Place it near the far wall of the loggia so that this structure does not interfere with walking along the loggia. The top of the lid can be sheathed soft materials, then the balcony cellar will also turn into a cozy sofa.


On the left is the box itself, on the right is shown how to make a heating system if you want to store vegetables on the balcony even in severe frosts.

To make a small cellar for the loggia, take:

  • bars;
  • boards;
  • saw;
  • self-tapping screws;
  • window hinges;
  • screwdriver
This device will be built-in. Therefore, first you need to attach the bars in the form of a rectangle on the floor at the end of the balcony, where you will install the box, and the top ones will be the height of the cellar.


If you do not store vegetables and fruits here in severe frosts, then you can do simple system ventilation. To do this, fill the floor boards not close to each other, but with a small distance.

Now you need to attach the boards to the front wall, sidewall, and also to the top, between the future lid.


The boards or bars on top must be larger than those on the sides to create a frame to which the hinges and lid must be attached.

To make a hatch, saw off two bars the width of the resulting opening, and fill them with identical planks across them.


Attach a handle to the lid so that you can easily open such a balcony cellar.

You can buy a thermal container or make it yourself. The latter option is more exciting and will also save money. To do this, you need to put together a box according to the principle described above, but so that there are no holes left in it. If there are any, cover them with foam.

The inner walls of the cellar must be lined with insulation, which can even be used as polystyrene foam, which is used to line various purchased equipment in boxes.


Then you need to put together another box that fits freely inside the first one. Its walls are thinner, so this box can be made of fiberboard, plywood or thick cardboard box. The lid also needs to be insulated.


You can attach foil insulation to the inner walls of the box and lid, which will cool the vegetables in hot weather and protect them from hypothermia in cold weather.


Paint the outside of the box with stain. To transform it into a cozy sofa that takes up little space:
  1. Place a sheet of foam rubber and fabric on its top cover so that it extends slightly beyond the ends. Using a furniture stapler, attach these materials to the wooden surface of the lid.
  2. To make your back comfortable when you sit here, sew a pair decorative pillows, sew ribbons of the same material to the upper corners, secure them to the built-in rod.
  3. You can simply put these pillows on the sofa, attach a shelf at the back, put flowers here, hang a small picture just below, you will get a very cozy and functional corner.
Some craftsmen build brick base to make it safe to store vegetables on the balcony. It is also insulated inside, so you can leave vegetables here throughout the winter.

How to make a heated oven?

If you live in a region with a cold climate or will store vegetables and fruits all winter, then you need an insulated heated thermal container, which you decide to buy or make yourself. When choosing last option you will certainly find the following diagram useful, the view when constructing such a structure must be provided air gap, ventilation system.


As you can see, you need to create an air gap between the body and the box, and also lay insulation. Below there is a heater that will maintain the temperature necessary for vegetables and fruits. You can buy a thermostat or install a thermometer here and maintain the desired microclimate based on its readings.

You can cover the wall with polystyrene foam, make the inner and outer walls of the box from chipboard, and insulate the inside with glass wool, covering the holes with polyurethane foam.



Look at the diagram that will help you create an insulated cellar on the balcony.


As you can see, in drilled hole a thermometer is inserted to see the temperature inside the box. A diagram of the heating system is also shown here.
  1. This cellar also consists of an outer box, but two inner ones, which are made from plywood sheets. They are placed inside so that there is a gap of 5 cm between the walls and the floor of the outer box.
  2. The insulation is laid here. A gap of 15 cm is left between the inner boxes so that two lamps can be hung here for heating. They are turned on during severe frosts to maintain required temperature.
  3. The thermostat, which has a relay and a temperature sensor, greatly facilitates the work. You will set the temperature to the desired level so that it is maintained at that level for the required time.

How to build storage on the 1st floor?


To do this, you need to dig a cellar and extend the walls of the balcony down.

Such work relates to redevelopment, so before making a cellar you must obtain permission from the Housing Office or the relevant organization.


After that you need to stock up necessary materials. To make a cellar on the first floor, you will need:
  • cement;
  • sand;
  • roll waterproofing;
  • reinforcement network;
  • thermal insulation;
  • material for the construction of cellar walls (blocks, bricks, etc.);
  • Decoration Materials;
  • hatch device - metal sheet or bars and boards;
  • pipe for ventilation.
Follow the instructions below:
  1. Dig a pit under the balcony. The height of this recess should be such that in the future cellar you can stand up to your full height. The width is the same as the balcony slab.
  2. Cover the walls and floor of the future cellar waterproofing material, for this you can use inexpensive roofing felt or slightly more expensive fiberglass.
  3. Cover the bottom of the pit with a layer of crushed stone and sand, compact these materials. Place reinforcing steel mesh on top. Combine cement with sand, add water, stir, add crushed stone. This solution must be poured onto the floor to create a concrete screed.
  4. Build the walls of the cellar from bricks or blocks, not forgetting to install here ventilation pipe, the top of which is covered with a grill.
  5. Insulate interior walls using polyurethane foam, mineral wool or similar materials. This way it is better to insulate the floor slab as well.
  6. Now you need a day concrete slab make a hole in the balcony using a hammer drill. Construct a manhole cover from wood or metal sheet and install it in place. Make a staircase that leads to the cellar under the balcony.
  7. Outside, it is necessary to arrange a blind area at a slight slope from the wall. To do this, you need to create a cushion of crushed stone and sand and fill it with concrete.


Look at the diagram of the cellar under the balcony, which will be useful to you.


Once the concrete has completely dried both inside and out, you have a complete vegetable storage facility for the family.

Other DIY designs

If you live on the second floor or higher and still decide to buy a cellar, then pay attention to the following heating cabinet.


This container has a rigid body and a built-in thermostat that maintains the required temperature inside the container. There is ventilation here, it won't allow high humidity. Similar ovens are available in various sizes; you can choose them for a large or small balcony, for families of varying sizes.

Also, if you want to buy a cellar, pay attention to flexible designs.


It looks like a regular synthetic bag, but it's not. For such a miniature vegetable storage, waterproof fabric and insulation are used. Electrodes are built into the material, which, when heated, increase the temperature to the desired level, preventing vegetables from freezing during cold weather.

If you have an uninsulated balcony or loggia on which you will store vegetables, fruits, and canned foods from March to November, when there are no severe frosts, then the following design will suit you.

  1. To make such a cabinet on the balcony for storing food, you need to knock down a wooden box from timber. A reliable beam is also attached in the middle.
  2. The bars are horizontally attached and fixed to these vertical posts. On the one hand, shelves are filled with homemade pickles in glass jars.
  3. The second half of such a cabinet provides storage of vegetables and fruits. To do this, you need to knock down the boxes and attach bars to the top of each on one side and the other. Due to this, the drawers will hold when you open them slightly to get the necessary product.
You can build another mini cellar for the balcony.

  1. Its width is equal to the width of the loggia. Place two boards vertically parallel to each other, place two more horizontally, assemble the box using self-tapping screws.
  2. Stock the shelves inside. The distance between them should be equal to the height of the boxes that you will push here.
  3. These boxes are folding and are held at the bottom by hinges. You need to attach a furniture handle in the center to freely open the drawers.
  4. For better air exchange on the front panel of each wooden frame metal grid.
Such devices will allow you to store vegetables, fruits, and all kinds of homemade preparations on the balcony. Subject to correct mode, these products will not spoil for a long time. By purchasing them once, you will save yourself for a long time from the need to go to the store for fruits and vegetables. If you grow them on personal plot, then solve the problem with their storage.

If you want to see a few more ideas that will tell you how to store vegetables on the balcony when there is no severe frost or on a heated loggia, then check them out.


For this you will need:
  • two wooden blocks with a cross section of 5 cm;
  • drill with an attachment for cutting round holes;
  • rounded bars;
  • wood glue;
  • sackcloth;
  • scissors.

Instead of rounded bars, you can use wooden rolling pins of suitable diameter.

  1. Saw off one small one from each long strip; these elements will become the upper and lower crossbars of a wooden box made of blocks.
  2. Shoot him down. Using a round drill bit, drill holes in the vertical bars.
  3. Sew burlap into bags with an opening top. When cutting, leave small rectangles on the sides; wrap each one to make holes equal in diameter to the oval bars. Put them here.
  4. The ends of these rolling pins need to be greased with glue and installed in the holes made.

To help canvas bags keep their shape, place a sheet of plywood or cardboard on the bottom of each that is equal to the size of the bottom.


You can use a similar canvas bag for another idea. You will also need:
  • sawdust;
  • plastic or metal basket.
Sew a bag with a closing top from burlap. You can trim the edges with braid. Place the resulting product in a selected box, pour some sawdust down, and place a layer of dried carrots. Like this, sandwiching it with wood shavings, fill the container. A great idea that will help carrots not to rot or wither for a long time.


Convenient boxes for storing vegetables are made of wood. The principle of creating another device, which consists of three sections, is visible in the following photo.

Every housewife tries to stock up on preserves for the winter. It’s good to have a basement where you can put canned vegetables and fruits. When there is no such opportunity, the best option store closed jars on the loggia or balcony.

You can store food in jars only in positive temperatures. Let's first consider methods for storing conservation in enclosed areas of loggias and balconies. Then we’ll look at how to insulate a cabinet on an open balcony for storing jars with blanks.

Where and how best to store jars with preparations on the loggia

It is good to store rolled up cans on shelves or in cabinets

A closed loggia is an ideal room for storing closed products, because winter period the air temperature does not fall below 0°. Products are placed in places such as:

  • closet;
  • Built in furniture;
  • dresser.

Shelves


There should be shelves required height

Horizontal surfaces for placing winter supplies on the loggia can be made from shelves. Shelves are hung on the walls. It is very convenient to place them on the side surfaces of the room.

The shelves are positioned in such a way that one can accommodate jars of the same height. You can make furniture parts yourself. Use a board or laminated particle board for this. IN furniture stores They sell ready-made shelves of various designs.

Products may deteriorate due to exposure ultraviolet radiation. In order to avoid this negative phenomenon, baguettes or strings are installed on the balcony ceiling. Curtains or curtains are hung on them. This will protect the closed products from exposure to light and improve the appearance of the interior of the glazed balcony.

Closet

It’s convenient to hide workpieces in the closet

Apartment owners often use it as a box for storing cans with preparations on the loggia. old furniture, such as cabinets. Old bookshelf already has shelves. All that remains is to cover the door windows with some available material. In most cases, the furniture fits well at the end of the loggia, adjoining the back wall to the side fence of the room.

The wardrobe is closed with solid doors. If the side walls have sufficient thickness, then shelves are hung on them. If there are thin sidewalls inside the cabinet, install wooden frame made of timber on which the shelves are placed. They are easy to make with your own hands from boards or chipboard.

We must remember that the closet should not block window hole. Otherwise, there will be a shortage in the room natural light, and it will be difficult to open the window for ventilation.

Built in furniture


Built-in wardrobe can be made from chipboard

A timber frame is formed at the end of the loggia. Shelves made of boards or chipboard are placed on the frame. Installed at the entire height of the balcony vertical racks from timber. These racks are used to hang door leaves. They can be made from thin chipboard.

The canvases are reinforced from the inside with a timber frame. This will give the doors strength and protect them from deformation. External surface The doors of the built-in wardrobe are painted or coated with furniture varnish. At the end of the work, preservation is placed on the shelves.

Dresser

This type of furniture can be made independently. First, a frame is made from timber. Then the bottom and side surfaces sheathed with boards, chipboard or plastic.

A lid made of the same material as the lining of the chest of drawers is hung on hinges on the rear upper beam. A seat cushion is attached to a horizontal surface with a stapler or furniture nails. The pillow is made as follows: foam rubber, 20-30 mm thick, is covered with furniture fabric or leatherette on top. Preparations for the winter are placed inside the chest of drawers.

This chest of drawers on the loggia performs two functions:

  1. Box for storing preserved food.
  2. Sofa for sitting.

Installation of an insulated closet on an open balcony

The contents of the cans are fruits and vegetables placed in a liquid substance of brines and syrups of various compositions. It is the liquid component of preservation that is susceptible to freezing. This may cause the product to spoil and the glass shell of the jar to break. To preserve the workpieces in winter, it is necessary that the insulated box can maintain a positive temperature inside. To learn how to make a wardrobe on the balcony, watch this video:

The design of the insulated box for workpieces on the loggia is based on the principle of the structure of a thermos. Thermal insulation is placed in the gap between the built-in container and the cabinet body.

You must first install the cabinet on the balcony so that it does not block the light opening and is subject to minimal wind blowing. If the cabinet body is made of chipboard, then care must be taken to protect it from exposure to precipitation. Usually the box is covered with several layers of moisture-resistant paint.

Foam plastic, mineral wool, polyurethane foam or other insulation is glued to the inner surface of the walls between the shelves. The thickness of the thermal insulation must be at least 30 mm. The top, bottom and door inside the box are also insulated. Inner surface insulation is covered with fiberboard sheets, thin plywood or plastic. Instructions for installing a cabinet on a balcony:

In harsh climates, there is a high risk of “losing” workpieces even in an insulated cabinet on the balcony. Severe frost no amount of insulation of the storage facility will stop it. Some sources of information recommend installing electric heating with incandescent lamps or other homemade devices in insulated cabinets.

However, this circumstance significantly increases the risk of a fire due to a short circuit in the homemade electric heating system; in this regard, it is more advisable to look for another place to store winter supplies.

Every housewife tries to stock up on preserves for the winter. It’s good to have a basement where you can put canned vegetables and fruits. When this is not possible, the best option is to store closed jars on the loggia or balcony.

You can store food in jars only in positive temperatures. Let's first consider methods for storing conservation in enclosed areas of loggias and balconies. Then we’ll look at how to insulate a cabinet on an open balcony for storing jars with blanks.

Where and how best to store jars with preparations on the loggia

It is good to store rolled up cans on shelves or in cabinets

A closed loggia is an ideal room for storing closed products, because in winter the air temperature does not drop below 0°. Products are placed in places such as:

  • shelves;
  • closet;
  • Built in furniture;
  • dresser.

Shelves

Shelves must be the right height

Horizontal surfaces for placing winter supplies on the loggia can be made from shelves. Shelves are hung on the walls. It is very convenient to place them on the side surfaces of the room.

The shelves are positioned in such a way that one can accommodate jars of the same height. You can make furniture parts yourself. Use a board or laminated particle board for this. Furniture stores sell ready-made shelves of various designs.

Products can deteriorate from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In order to avoid this negative phenomenon, baguettes or strings are installed on the balcony ceiling. Curtains or curtains are hung on them. This will protect the closed products from exposure to light and improve the appearance of the interior of the glazed balcony.

Closet

It’s convenient to hide workpieces in the closet

Apartment owners often use old furniture, such as cabinets, as a box for storing jars with blanks on the loggia. The old bookcase already has shelves. All that remains is to cover the door windows with some available material. In most cases, the furniture fits well at the end of the loggia, adjoining the back wall to the side fence of the room.

The wardrobe is closed with solid doors. If the side walls are thick enough, then shelves are hung on them. If there are thin sidewalls, a wooden frame made of timber is installed inside the cabinet, on which shelves are placed. They can be easily made with your own hands from boards or chipboard.

We must remember that the closet should not block the window opening. Otherwise, there will be a lack of natural light in the room, and it will be difficult to open the window for ventilation.

Built in furniture

Built-in wardrobe can be made from chipboard

A timber frame is formed at the end of the loggia. Shelves made of boards or chipboard are placed on the frame. Vertical racks made of timber are installed along the entire height of the balcony. Door panels are hung on these racks. They can be made from thin chipboard.

The canvases are reinforced from the inside with a timber frame. This will give the doors strength and protect them from deformation. The outer surface of the built-in closet doors is painted or coated with furniture varnish. At the end of the work, preservation is placed on the shelves.

Dresser

This type of furniture can be made independently. First, a frame is made from timber. Then the bottom and side surfaces are covered with boards, chipboard or plastic.

A lid made of the same material as the lining of the chest of drawers is hung on hinges on the rear upper beam. A seat cushion is attached to a horizontal surface with a stapler or furniture nails. The pillow is made as follows: foam rubber, 20-30 mm thick, is covered with furniture fabric or leatherette on top. Preparations for the winter are placed inside the chest of drawers.

This chest of drawers on the loggia performs two functions:

  1. Box for storing preserved food.
  2. Sofa for sitting.

Installation of an insulated closet on an open balcony

The contents of the cans are fruits and vegetables placed in a liquid substance of brines and syrups of various compositions. It is the liquid component of preservation that is susceptible to freezing. This may cause the product to spoil and the glass shell of the jar to break. To preserve the workpieces in winter, it is necessary that the insulated box can maintain a positive temperature inside. To learn how to make a wardrobe on the balcony, watch this video:

The design of the insulated box for workpieces on the loggia is based on the principle of the structure of a thermos. Thermal insulation is placed in the gap between the built-in container and the cabinet body.

You must first install the cabinet on the balcony so that it does not block the light opening and is subject to minimal wind blowing. If the cabinet body is made of chipboard, then care must be taken to protect it from exposure to precipitation. Usually the box is covered with several layers of moisture-resistant paint.

Foam plastic, mineral wool, polyurethane foam or other insulation is glued to the inner surface of the walls between the shelves. The thickness of the thermal insulation must be at least 30 mm. The top, bottom and door inside the box are also insulated. The inner surface of the insulation is covered with fiberboard sheets, thin plywood or plastic. Instructions for installing a cabinet on a balcony:

In harsh climates, there is a high risk of “losing” workpieces even in an insulated cabinet on the balcony. Severe frost will not stop any amount of storage insulation. Some sources of information recommend installing electric heating with incandescent lamps or other homemade devices in insulated cabinets.

However, this circumstance significantly increases the risk of a fire due to a short circuit in the homemade electric heating system; in this regard, it is more advisable to look for another place to store winter supplies.

Jams, compotes, pickles - thanks to homemade preparations, the winter table will be varied and tasty. But everyone involved in canning vegetables, fruits and mushrooms for the winter understands that making jam or pickling milk mushrooms is only half the battle. The issue of storing jars becomes inevitable, the solution of which will depend on how long vegetables, fruits and berries will remain edible. So, let's talk about how to store the preparations in order to provide the family with vitamins and diversify the winter diet.

Cellar

IN a cellar dug in the ground at the dacha or in the garage, firstly, the necessary temperature regime, and secondly, you won’t have to trip over cans in an apartment in which it will be much more difficult to “install” them.

Regina: Our cellar is quite deep and cold, everything is stored for a long time, the most important thing is to remember to label the jars so that you know the expiration date and not confuse, for example, plum or blackcurrant jam. All the preserved food is on the floor, which is inconvenient, of course - it would be better to store it on shelves.

Elena: We live in a private house, which has a cool cellar with metal shelving. From mid-autumn to mid-spring the temperature here does not rise above +10. Sauerkraut, barrel cucumbers and tomatoes, potatoes, carrots and onions, even the roses that we dig up for the winter - everyone really loves this temperature regime. But in the summer it gets hot in the cellar (maybe someday I’ll get around to installing an air conditioner there to regulate the temperature), so I remove the remaining jars from the cellar. I put some of it in one of the refrigerators, the rest in boxes under the stairs in the basement (this is the coolest place in the house in summer time, somewhere +15). This is where I keep a strategic supply of store-bought canned goods.

Balcony or loggia

If there glass balcony or loggia- then this is also a very good option for storing workpieces and another idea for. It is important that the temperature here in winter does not fall below 0 degrees. Otherwise, the entire contents of the cans will freeze and, as a result, will lose all their taste.

Angelina: I have a small closet on the balcony, and there is also one under the window small locker. If the winter is very cold, you have to move the jars to the kitchen cabinet under the window or to the pantry. And in the summer, the preparations are stored well on the balcony, although we have a sunny side.

Thermal box

On the balcony you can equip some kind of cellar, in which potatoes and certain types of other vegetables that require long-term storage, and some types of preserves, for example, sauerkraut or pickles. Thermal box (analogue of a cellar) is made from one box big size and the other one is smaller. Larger foam is placed at the bottom of the box, then a smaller box is placed, and foam or other insulation, which can be sawdust, is placed in the gaps between the boxes, polyurethane foam, rags.

Pantry

Another secluded place in the apartment that should not be filled with unnecessary rubbish is pantry. In our case, you can put up racks or equip shelves on which the jars will be located, but humanity has come up with convenient ones for vegetables.

Alyona: We don’t have a balcony, and in the cellar the lids on the jars quickly become rusty due to humidity - I really don’t like this. Therefore, I store all my few preparations (small jars of jam) in the pantry. I put them in shallow plastic fruit crates and stack them on top of each other. The box is empty - I'm cleaning it. The main thing here is to make an assortment of different types jam so that you don’t get tired of the same thing.

"Khrushchev" refrigerator

Many Soviet-built houses have so-called “ Khrushchev's refrigerators, which are built directly into the wall - perfect solution conservation storage for small apartments. Nothing will disturb anyone here; both temperature and light conditions are observed.

Hope: I have Khrushchev refrigerator- it's under the window in the kitchen. Our mothers and grandmothers also used it, everything was stored well until spring.

Mezzanine

Another place to store jars of canned vegetables is mezzanine. The main disadvantage is inaccessibility. In order to get the right jar, you will have to stand on a stool or stepladder.

Anna: We don’t have a lot of stuff on the mezzanines, so everything fits there without any problems, and soon the supplies are empty.

On shelves

The kitchen is perhaps the most suitable place for storing everything in the world, and most importantly - food. Wardrobes, cabinets and shelves - all this can be put in proper order and you will discover whole empty bins that can be filled.

Pauline: I'm under kitchen set I have a place where I store all the preserves.

Ninel: I kept everything in the closet in the hallway: the most important thing is good sterilization of the jars, and not keeping them in too warm a place.

Built-in wardrobe

In the hallway, where it is usually not as hot as in the kitchen, you can, if desired, install built-in wardrobes and shelving. Very comfortable and cool!

Maria: We enter the apartment through two doors, the distance between them is 40 cm. There is a metal shelving built in there. We store vegetables and some preserves.

Maria: We have a built-in closet: it is adjacent to the wall behind which is the elevator shaft. This place is always quite cool - that's where we store it. Potatoes and other vegetables are at the very bottom in containers, jars are higher on the shelves.

Pull-out shelf

In any kitchen, bathroom or toilet there are “dead spots”. These are those 10-30 cm between furniture and household appliances, between the door and washing machine, where it is impossible to put anything, where dust and rubbish accumulate. In our case, in the kitchen, all small jars with preparations can be placed in order to optimally use the space and keep everything at hand.

In general, with the proper ingenuity and dexterity, you can adapt any place for storing winter supplies, even in a small apartment. But it must be remembered that Cans cannot be stored:

  • in the toilet (this ruins your appetite);
  • near the trash can for the above reason (or separate the bin and cans with an additional partition);
  • where it's hot;
  • where it is very wet (for example, under the bathtub);
  • where you can bump into them or hit them.

What are your proven secrets for storing preserved food? Share your experience in our groups on VKontakte, Facebook and Instagram!

The possibilities for using balconies and loggias are simply endless. Offices, greenhouses, workshops and comfortable relaxation areas - with proper insulation, a few spare meters can be turned into an additional cozy room. Thrifty and thrifty residents can arrange for additional area a pantry or cellar for storing preserved food on the balcony. Let's find out how to make good use of a small space.

In a village or country house, there are no problems with storing jars of home preserves. IN ground floor They set up entire storage facilities, burying caissons in the ground right next to the house or garden. Some owners use it wisely summer kitchens, verandas, cold corridors and even attics. However, for the city, or more precisely, for the residents multi-storey buildings, all of the above options are unacceptable, especially if there is no own garage. We have to find ways to store blanks in a city apartment.

The refrigerator is not intended for long-term storage of canned food

A storage place for pickled cucumbers and mushrooms, sauerkraut, and homemade stew must be found before you start preparing them. A loggia or balcony is perhaps the only area suitable for storing cans, containers and bags of tasty preparations for the winter. It remains to fulfill several conditions so that the products do not spoil and do not freeze with the onset of frost:

  • install new, preferably double, double-glazed windows or repair old glazing if it does not provide the necessary microclimate;
  • insulate the ceiling, floor and walls;
  • install racks or cabinets with shelves for convenient storage;
  • adjust lighting (including lighting in cabinets).

In this case, you need to make maximum use usable space, since it is limited and cannot accommodate a large number of shelving, unlike, for example, a village cellar.

Open shelves are convenient, but not the best in terms of proper storage

If everything works out with the installation of a balcony cellar, then you will be able to stock up on signature recipes every year, and on holidays please your household with delicious homemade preparations.

Preservation storage conditions

First, a little theory. The fact is that to store different types of preservation you need special conditions preparation and storage. Taking into account the fact that all recipe recommendations are followed during cooking, and the dishes (glass or metal jars) are sterilized and tightly closed, the following temperature requirements are imposed on canned food:

  • fish – from 0°С to +15°С;
  • meat – from 0°С to +20°С;
  • mushroom – from 0°С to +15°С;
  • vegetables (fermented and salted) – from 0°C to +25°C;
  • fruits and berries – from 0°С to +25°С.

Temperature indicators for pickles and starters stored in barrels, others - from -1°C to +4°C. Therefore, on an insulated balcony it is recommended to keep only products in glass and metal containers specifically designed for preservation. The humidity in the room should not exceed 75%, also mandatory requirement– regular ventilation (which is easy to do on the balcony).

Homemade twists are the best snack for the New Year's table

In addition to temperature restrictions, storage periods must also be observed. For example, meat and fish homemade It’s better to sell it within the next year, but pickled gherkins or salted saffron milk caps will easily survive 3 years.

Seaming machine - an easy to use tool

Although newfangled packaging for long-term storage of various products appears on the market every now and then, the best dishes remain glass jars and bottles made from a special type of glass that is resistant to high temperatures. The standard volume of cans is from 0.35 l to 1.2 l, but 2- and 3-liter containers are often used for pickling cucumbers or sealing semi-finished vegetable products. Products are sealed with tin lids using a seaming machine.

Balcony furniture for conservation storage

The most successful way to save limited space– the use of shelves, racks and cabinets for storing preserved food on the balcony. Let's consider options that are convenient to use and suitable for a harmonious interior arrangement.

Racks and shelves

Horizontal surfaces located at a convenient height are considered the most suitable place for placing numerous jars with winter preparations. They can take the form of open and closed shelves suspended from the walls, or racks that occupy all the free space.

Even one small shelf can accommodate a dozen cans

However, not every shelf is suitable, because jars filled with liquid and food have considerable weight. Therefore, conservation shelves on the balcony should have the following characteristics:

  • durable, processed material;
  • quality metal mounts(plastic will not work);
  • sufficient length and width;
  • a suitable height for comfortable use (approximately from 0.6 m to 1.7 m).

It is better to select the maximum width so that 2-3 rows of cans can freely fit on the surface, but keep in mind: the larger the width of the shelf, the stronger the fastenings should be.

Where to mount the shelves? On standard balconies all front side occupied by double-glazed windows, the rear wall - a window and Entrance door, two remain end walls. They are suitable for hanging shelves, provided that the wall is strong. Loggias with concrete and brick walls benefit. However, if, when insulating a balcony, you foresee the installation of shelves or built-in cabinets in advance, then with other options there will be no problems with creating a mini-warehouse.

Shelves made during thermal insulation and wood lath paneling

To save space, which is usually not enough, it is important to correctly consider the height of the shelves. Think about the types of jars you typically use and adjust the space between shelves to accommodate them. Don’t forget that a distance of 10-15 cm above the jars will allow you to quickly find the canned food you need and carefully move the containers apart to get what you need.

Simple ways to create a convenient pantry with shelves:

  • process independently wooden boards(chipboards, MDF, plywood are also suitable), put together shelves and hang them from the walls;
  • buy a ready-made wooden or metal rack according to the size of the balcony;
  • organize storage during the process of sheathing and insulation;
  • make universal decorative shelves and, if necessary, use them to store workpieces.

Advice! Canned food should not be placed in the light, so for long-term storage of canned food, be sure to equip all shelves with doors.

Option for self-production - wooden shelves on a metal profile

All recommendations related to shelves are also addressed to the installation of shelving. A rack is necessary when there are a lot of cans with blanks. Then both end walls equipped with shelves located along the entire height. Of course, to get items from the lower shelves, you will have to bend down, and climb a bench or ladder to get items from the upper shelves, but the delicious twists for borscht or roast are worth it.

Wardrobes and chests of drawers

A large canning cabinet on the balcony is considered a more complex structure than shelves, but also more suitable, since all its contents are closed with tight doors and do not allow ultraviolet radiation, which is harmful to canned food, to pass through.

Neat full-height wardrobe with sliding doors

As with shelves, end walls are usually chosen for cabinets. In this case, the furniture performs its functions without blocking the passage or blocking the double-glazed windows.

Advice! We do not recommend using old wardrobe furniture as cabinets for workpieces - it is not suitable in design and arrangement of shelves.

If you think that grandma’s old wardrobe can turn into a pantry, then you are mistaken, because for comfortable use it needs high-quality improvements. It is convenient to store glass jars for canning exclusively on long shelves of small width, which are not available in wardrobes. On the contrary, they have deep and too high sections for cans and a compartment for outerwear, which is absolutely unsuitable.

Pull-out containers – good option not only for storing fresh vegetables, but also for arranging containers with pickles

If the area of ​​the loggia allows, then the cabinets can be installed along the wall shared with the adjacent room. The main condition is the presence of sufficient space for free movement and opening of doors, as well as reliable installation. To prevent the cabinet from wobbling or tilting under load large quantity pickles and jams, back wall They must be fixed to the wall along the entire perimeter, and strong fasteners are used to install shelves.

When arranging a cabinet, you can use different kinds door:

  • traditional swing doors - with sufficient free space;
  • sliding – if space is limited;
  • blinds or roller shutters - a lightweight option;
  • curtains on a rope or crossbar - to style the interior.

A good option for a balcony is a wardrobe with both doors moving along guides to the left and right. With this design, it is impossible to examine all the blanks at the same time, but the cabinet itself looks neat and stylish.

The original diagonal arrangement of the panel with doors, increasing the internal volume

If there are not so many preparations, and residents are attracted by a more spacious area, you can limit yourself to a small chest of drawers (or a pair of chests of drawers), arranged like a closet. The shelves are located under the tabletop, which, in turn, can be used for growing indoor or garden plants(or for another purpose).

Secret places

If you don’t consider yourself an adherent of conservation, but always have a few jars of marinade or pickles as gifts or purchased for the occasion, you don’t have to clutter the refrigerator with them. Can be found on the balcony appropriate place, even if this place doesn’t look like a cellar at all.

You can select a couple of shelves in a closet that is intended for other purposes. It’s better if the shelves are equipped with separate doors and look like a separate section (after all, it’s not appropriate to store food together with things or books).

A couple of dozen jars of pickled honey mushrooms or zucchini fit perfectly in the lower compartment of the cabinet.

Often the hidden space under the seats of balcony sofas or armchairs remains free. This place is specially designed for a blanket, warm clothes or a small pillow, which can be useful for relaxing on a cool evening, but for some reason everyone forgets about it. However, if 3-4 containers with sauerkraut or fried canned eggplants, then they will definitely remember it for a family dinner, the next holiday or the arrival of guests.

You can store jars of your favorite jam under the lid of the sofa cabinet.

The simplest option is homemade cabinets with hinged lids. They are installed along the walls and decorated on top beautiful pillows for the seat, turning into comfortable sofas for relaxation.

How to make a canning rack with your own hands

What we have: a typical city balcony, glazed, insulated and renovated

Our goal: to make it simple but convenient wooden rack for storing homemade preparations or other products (fresh vegetables, fruits, cereals, etc.).

Neat shelving with comfortable wide shelves

So, for the work you will need a tool for working with wood (plane, saw or jigsaw, chisel, sandpaper), a marking tool (construction tape, level, marker, square), a drill for installing dowels in the wall, and a screwdriver. As the main building material we will use wooden blocks and boards purchased at the supermarket.

Advice! If you don’t want to bother with wood processing, you can order parts from the workshop, but self-production It will cost less and perhaps allow you to acquire new skills.

Having prepared the tools and materials, we proceed according to the following plan:

  1. We measure the height of the room, determine the dimensions of the shelves, and mark the places where the bars are attached to the wall, floor and ceiling.
  2. We measure and saw off the bars (for the frame) and boards (for the shelves) to the given dimensions.
  3. We process everything wooden parts sandpaper, if necessary, cover with protective impregnation with an antiseptic.
  4. We mount the frame: first we install four long bars vertically, securing them with dowels, then we attach crossbars to them with self-tapping screws, on which the shelves will be supported.
  5. We install shelves using boards adjusted to size.

We pay attention to the reliability of the elements fixed on the wall

After finishing the work, the finished rack can be painted in any color. suitable color. Better to use acrylic paint: it fits perfectly on wood, dries quickly, does not smell and is absolutely safe.

The open part of the glass unit can be covered with a curtain, but it is better to make the adjacent wall of the cabinet blank

With such a rack, you won’t have to rack your brains over how to store canned food on the balcony in winter - the jars will stand in orderly rows in one place. And so that Sun rays did not spoil the results of labor, containers can be placed in plastic boxes with lids or equipped with a rack convenient system horizontal blinds.

Household balcony heating cabinet

If the air temperature on the balcony still occasionally drops below 0°C and conditions do not allow storing glass jars on cabinet shelves, use a ready-made model - a factory-made thermal cabinet (thermal container, balcony cellar). It is an improved model of a village chest - a large box with compartments, which our ancestors installed in the entryway for storing preparations, cereals and vegetables.

Metal stationary thermal container

Modern storage is a large metal box (200-300 l) with a lid and power supply, well-insulated walls and a thermostat that allows you to control optimal parameters temperatures – from +3°С to +10°С. Wires for heating are built into the walls of the container. Power consumption during operation is 170-240 W. The main advantage of the cellar is the ability to store preserved food even at forty-degree frosts.

The cost of the simplest models is from 5,000 rubles, more equipped modifications – up to 30,000 rubles.

Balcony cabinet updates:

Insulated and spacious wardrobe:

Review of a homemade heating cabinet:

As you can see, even in a city apartment you can find a suitable place to store numerous pieces and twists that you have prepared yourself. It remains to decide which design is more suitable for your balcony, because the choice is really great: from stylish models custom-made cabinets to convenient, self-made storage boxes and shelves.